Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake (Microwave)

This simple Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake has all the flavours of a traditional Hot Cross Bun. It’s so easy and you can make it in minutes in your microwave.

Why should I make a Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake?

Sometimes I crave a special sweet treat. This recipe for a Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake really hits the spot. There’s no need to nip out to the shops to buy something because I can mix up a few ingredients and make this spicy cake my microwave in minutes. 

This little cake has a great texture and, although it took me a few trials I’ve finally cracked it and got the right balance of fruit, spice, and sugar, so it really tastes just like a Hot Cross Bun.  

What are Hot Cross Buns?

Hot Cross Buns are a type of sweet bread bun, spiced with spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and speckled with dried fruit and candied peel.

The origin of the Hot Cross Bun may go back to the 12th Century when it is said that they were baked by monks and marked with a cross to honour Good Friday. However, there is an alternative theory that the baking of cross buns may go back even further to Pagan times. When these buns were baked at the beginning of Spring to celebrate the goddess Eostre.

Whatever their origins Hot Cross Buns are so good that we are still eating them centuries later. The tradition is to eat these sweet yeasted buns on Good Friday. In the UK we love Hot Cross Buns so much that they are available to buy all year round.

What ingredients do I need to make a Hot Cross Bun Cake?

The ingredients I use for this mug cake are standard baking ingredients that are easily available and you probably have most of them already. Here is what you need:

• butter
• egg
• milk
• brown sugar
• mixed spice
• mixed dried fruit 
• self-raising flour
• cocoa powder (optional)

A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.

Can I use a plant based spread instead of butter?

Yes, any full fat spread will work with this recipe. Avoid low fat spreads as they are not suitable for baking.

Should I use light brown or dark brown sugar?

I use light brown sugar in the Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake recipe. It brings a slightly caramelised flavour to the cake. You can use dark brown sugar but the stronger flavour may overpower the taste of the spices.

Can I use white sugar?

If you don’t have any brown sugar then you can use white sugar, either granulated white sugar or caster (superfine) sugar.

What is mixed spice?

Mixed Spice is a spice blend readily available in UK supermarkets and baking suppliers. It is a combination of the following ground spices:

• allspice
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• mace
• cloves
• coriander
• ginger

If you can’t source ready-made mixed spice you can make your own. Or you can use cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg or cloves.

What is mixed dried fruit?

Mixed dried fruit combines dried vine fruits such as raisins, sultanas (golden raisins) and currants (zante currants) with chopped candied citrus peel. You can buy bags of this mix in most supermarkets in the UK.

I can’t find mixed dried fruit, what can I substitute?

You can use about 80% raisins and/or sultanas to 20% chopped candied peel. If you can’t source candied peel then you can add the grated zest of half an orange to the mix to give the citrus flavour to the Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake.

I don’t have self-raising flour, what can I substitute?

If you don’t have self-raising flour you can make it at home using plain (all-purpose flour) and baking powder.

This recipe uses 3 tbsp of self-raising flour therefore you need to add 1/4 tsp of baking powder to plain (all-purpose) flour.

What do I use the cocoa powder for?

I use cocoa powder to make a cross on top of the mug cake. It’s optional because it’s only there to make the cake look like a hot cross bun. If you don’t have any or you don’t want to use it, the mug cake will still taste very good.

How do I make the cross on the Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake? 

If you’d like to create a cross on top of your mug cake, then check out the video I made. It will show you how I created a simple template using aluminium foil then dusted over cocoa powder.  

Can I do any preparation ahead of time?

 The only thing you could really do, is mix up the dry ingredients. As the cake takes only 3 minutes to cook in the microwave it’s not something that you really need to prepare ahead of time. And like all mug cakes, it’s best eaten soon after it has been cooked. 

Can I double the recipe?

A Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake is a real indulgence when you are on your own, but if you want more you can easily double up the recipe and make two mug cakes. However, you will have to cook each one separately as otherwise the timings will be out.

How do get the cake out of the mug?

Just run a blunt knife around the edge of the mug to loosen the cake. It should then come out of the mug easiley.

Vegetarian

The Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake is suitable for vegetarians.

Gluten Free

This cake contains wheat flour and is not suitable for a gluten free diet.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How should I serve the Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake?

I like to serve it still warm, split in half with lots of butter. This is how I’d eat a yeasted Hot Cross Bun and it is my favourite way to eat this mug cake too.

It also makes a delicious quick and easy dessert. Simply serve the cake in a bowl with cream, ice cream or with either bought or homemade custard.

More Easter Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen 

Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns

Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns are delicious sweet, and spicy bread rolls speckled with juicy dried fruit with the traditional cross on top. They are easy to make in your air fryer and the perfect Easter treat.

Check out this recipe

Hot Cross Shortbread Cookies

Rich butter Shortbread cookies will all the spicy flavours of a traditional Easter Hot Cross Bun. 

Check out this recipe

Simnel Traybake Cake (Slice)

A one-bowl easy fruit cake traybake topped with marzipan based on the a traditional British Easter cake

Check out this recipe

Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake

Janice Pattie

All the flavours of a Hot Cross Bun in a super speedy, microwave mug cake

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe BookmarkSaved!

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Baking

Cuisine British

Servings 1

Calories 411 kcal

Ingredients

• 15 grams butter
• 1/2 medium egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 3 tablespoon soft light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
• 2 tablespoon mixed dried fruit the kind with mixed peel in it
• 3 tablespoon self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder

Instructions

 

• Put the butter into a large mug and microwave for 20 – 30 seconds
• Add the egg, milk and sugar and whisk to combine
• Add the mixed spice, flour and salt and mix until the batter is smooth
• Add the mixed dried fruit and orange zest and mix into the batter
• Microwave the mug cake for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes 30 seconds, depending on the rating of your microwave.
• While you leave the cake to cool slightly, make a cross with two strips of foil or paper, lay these over the mug and using a sieve or tea strainer to dust the top of the mug with cocoa. Remove the strips of foil or paper and you will reveal your cross.

Notes

• When microwaving your mug cake, start with 1 minute 30 seconds, then if still wet on top cook for a further 20 seconds at a time until it is just firm on top.
• Try not to overcook or your cake may be dry.
• You can make any shape for the top of your Hot Cross Bun, the cross is traditional but if you have other stencils or shapes, you can use those, a heart would be fun.
• Or simply dust all of the bun with cocoa or as an alternative to cocoa you could use cinnamon

Nutrition

Calories: 411kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 118mgPotassium: 201mgFiber: 3gSugar: 51gVitamin A: 375IUCalcium: 65mgIron: 1mg

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